Madill's Chapa signs with SW Christian

MADILL — As an important cog for the Madill Wildcats on the baseball field this past season, Hunter Chapa patrolled the outfield for one of southern Oklahoma's best high school teams.

And it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon.

Chapa's baseball career will continue on the next level after the senior signed a scholarship at the Madill gym on Tuesday to attend Southwestern Christian University.

For Chapa, he said he takes a great deal of pride in following the footsteps of his father Rene, who was also a college baseball player.

"This signing is a big deal for me," Chapa said. "My dad loved it, and it was always my dream to get to do it too.

"Now I get a chance to follow my dream."

It was Rene who first brought attention to Hunter of the opportunity at Southwestern Christian, via an email received from Eagles coach Kevin Thornton.

"They told him they had a workout with about 20 kids," Chapa said. "After that, they told me they liked what they saw and a scholarship would be coming soon."

Thornton took the Eagles through their inaugural season this past year, and figures to make Chapa one of several pieces of the foundation for the program's future.

"They want me to play outfield, because they think it's a good position for me with my abilities," Chapa said. "I have to get a lot stronger, hit better and do everything I can to be a better baseball player to get ready."

Chapa was a key player on Madill's 4A district title team. The Wildcats defeated Lone Grove in two games, with the series clincher coming on a walk-off double from the senior in a 3-2 win.